Monkeypox, a global health concern: A study on awareness and adherence to preventive measures among medical students in a tertiary care hospital, Kolkata

Background: The re-emerging Monkeypox disease is spreading worldwide, thus if prevention measures are not followed or awareness is not raised, chaos could result. Aims and Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the awareness and preventive measures of Monkeypox among medical students in a tertiary care hospital of Kolkata. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based, descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted over 6 weeks, among final year MBBS students of Medical College Kolkata. Convenience sampling was done. Minimum sample size calculated was 110. A pre-designed, pre-tested, semi-structured, and self-administered questionnaire which was face and content validated by experts used as the study tool in this study. Questionnaire was answered while keeping their identities confidential. Data were collected and entered in a coded manner in MS Excel. Using SPSS version 25, tabulation, the necessary tables, and diagrams were created. The Institutional Ethics Committee of the Medical College in Kolkata was consulted for ethical approval. Results: The students lacked sufficient information. Majority of them responded well when asked about the disease’s cause, incubation period, natural host signs and symptoms, mode of transmission, preventive measures, and treatment, but it was clear that they were unsure about identification of a suspected, probable, or confirmed case and definitive diagnosis. Conclusion: The present study reported that the students had limited knowledge about Monkeypox disease.

Pattern of hemoglobinopathies in females attending in antenatal clinic with special reference to the role of RBC parameters in beta-thalassemia carrier detection

Background: Hemoglobinopathies are the major cause of anemia throughout the world complicating pregnancy outcome. Hence, detection of hemoglobinopathies in antenatal period is of critical importance as it not only predict the possibility of birth of a child with thalassemia but also reduces the complications associated with anemia in pregnancy. Hence, identification of a reliable cost-effective screening method for detection of hemoglobinopathies is of utmost importance. Aims and Objectives: The present study was conducted to evaluate the role of red blood cell (RBC) parameters including hemoglobin (Hb%), RBC count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) in detection of thalassemia carriers among healthy antenatal mothers in a tertiary care hospital of Eastern India. Materials and Methods: Venous blood samples were collected from total 1458 antenatal mothers aged 18 years or above with <17 weeks of gestation and were analyzed for complete blood count, serum ferritin level, and high-performance liquid chromatography for identification of abnormal Hb. Patients with iron deficiency anemia as diagnosed by serum ferritin <15 ng/ml were excluded from this study. Results: The prevalence of hemoglobinopathy was found to be 12.55% with ß-thalassemia trait (BTT) being the most common type (7.9%). All the RBC parameters were significantly lower among the BTT group compared to individuals with normal or other hemoglobinopathies (P < 0.05). Conclusion: RBC parameters such as Hb, RBC, MCV, and MCH can be used as cost-effective yet very effective screening method to identify different hemoglobinopathies among antenatal mothers.

Is objective structured practical examination a cutting-edge assessment tool over traditional practical examination to prepare future “Indian Medical Graduate?” A study from Department of Pathology at a Government Medical College in West Bengal

Background: With the continuous evolution of medical education, an appropriate assessment method is the need of the hour. Most unavoidable drawback of traditional practical examination (TPE) is its subjectivity, which can be overcome by newer methods such as objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE). Hence, many studies have been conducted to reevaluate the efficiency of TPE and nowadays assessment of undergraduate students who are going to be Indian Medical Graduate (IMG) always remains the topic of debate. Aim and Objectives: The aim of our study is to compare OSPE and TPE by obtaining the feedback of examiner and examinee and also by the marks obtained by students. Materials and Methods: It was an analytical study with longitudinal design. The study was conducted after receiving approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Total 140 students were included in the study. In 2nd professional MBBS at third semester, two internal examinations were held in 2019, first one was TPE and the second one was based on OSPE. After the completion of OSPE, students’ and teachers’ opinion were collected by given pre-validated questionnaire. Results: There were significant (P =< 0.05) difference between mean score in OSPE (17.1) and TPE (14.26) among students. According to students, OSPE reduces examiner’s bias (84.2%), was less stressful than TPE (78.5%) and also fair and objective as compared to TPE (85%). According to teacher’s opinion, OSPE requires more time, demands critical thinking of students (77.7%), more objective and eliminates bias (94.4%), ensures uniformity (64.4%), but they opined that depth of knowledge cannot be assessed by OSPE (83.3%). Most of the students (93.5%) and teachers (77.7%) said that OSPE should be included in Pathology practical examination. Conclusion: In our study, both teachers and students have given feedback in favor of OSPE as an assessment tool in practical examination of undergraduate medical students. In our opinion, OSPE should be included as an assessment tool in 2nd year undergraduate pathology practical examination to prepare future IMG.

Role of glycemic control on lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus-a cross-sectional study in tertiary care hospital of West Bengal

Background: Dyslipidemia is one of the common conditions associated with poor glycemic control in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. It is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease which is the leading cause of death in these patients. Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the gold standard test for monitoring glycemic control. Thus, the level of HbA1c could potentially be utilized as a possible biomarker for predicting the risk of dyslipidemia. However, there is a discrepancy in the data available till now regarding the relationship between HbA1c and the lipid profile. Hence, it requires further studies. Aim and Objectives: The present study was conducted to assess the role of glycemic control (as indicated by HbA1c level in blood) on lipid profile of patients with T2DM. Materials and Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study done over a period of 5 months. Total 165 participants were randomly selected from out patient department OPD of which 138 were diagnosed cases of T2DM and 27 were age and sex-matched non-diabetic healthy individuals. Patients of T2DM were sub grouped based on American Diabetic Association Criteria (2013) as having either controlled diabetes with HbA1c ?7% or uncontrolled diabetes with HbA1c >7%. Blood samples collected from all the participants were analyzed for HbA1c and lipid profile using standard methods. The collected data were analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software using appropriate statistical method. Results: In the present study, we found a significant positive correlation between HbA1c and total cholesterol, Triglyceride, Low-density lipoproteins, and very low-density lipoproteins (P < 0.01) though high-density lipoprotein was not significantly correlated with HbA1c level. Conclusion: We concluded that apart from a reliable index of glycemic control, HbA1c can also be used as a predictor of dyslipidemia in T2DM patients, and thus regular monitoring of it can help us to reduce the mortality of these patients.

Food Security and Anthropometric Failure Among Tribal Children in Bankura, West Bengal.

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 188 tribal children aged 6-59 months using two-stage sampling in Bankura-I Block of Bankura district, West Bengal, India, to assess their nutritional status and its relation with household food security. Weight and height/length were measured and analyzed as per new WHO Growth Standards. Mothers of the study children were interviewed to obtain relevant information. Prevalence of Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure was 69.1% and multiple anthropometric failures were more likely among tribal children aged 24-59 months with irregular utilization of supplementary nutrition and from households with severe grades of food security.

Molecular mechanics aided design of antineoplastic agents from ruthenium coordinate complexes.

Through energy minimization using molecular mechanics force field four ruthenium cordinate complexes have been synthesized. Compound I to IV showed antineoplastic activity with varying degree on EAC bearing mice. Mode of action may be through inhibition of antioxidant property of tumor cell as evident from lipid peroxidase activity. Among the complexes Bis pyridine tetrachloro ruthenium exhibits highest order of activity with respect to increase mean survival time, inhibition of tumour volume, total blood count, hemoglobin and lipid peroxidase activity.

Role of fatty acid binding protein in the modulation of inhibitory effect of fatty acids on fatty acid synthase and ATP-citrate lyase in developing human brain.

Inhibition of the activities of fatty acid synthase and ATP-citrate lyase (ATP-CL) by fatty acids and their CoA esters has been studied. Purified fatty acid binding protein from human fetal brain reverses this inhibition. This protein also activates the enzyme when added alone. ATP-citrate lyase and fatty acid synthase activity gradually increased with the advancement of gestation showing a relationship between high demand of fatty acid synthesis in developing brain and supply of its precursors.

Correlation between human papillomavirus DNA detection in maternal cervical smears and buccal swabs of infants.

Acquisition of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in buccal mucosa by the infants at birth has been investigated. Presence of HPV DNA was evaluated in cervical smears of 30 pregnant women before delivery and in buccal swabs of the corresponding 31 infants (1 set of twins). HPV DNA was detected among the 40% of women, 16% of infants an the detection was concordant in 23 mother-infant pairs. HPV DNA was demonstrated in buccal mucosal cells of 41.6% of the infants born to HPV positive mothers. Maternal-infant transmission was highest for HPV 6/11. Assessment of the risk of developing HPV related oral lesions in children at later life owing to acquisition of HPV during perinatal period may help in determining a strategy to combat the disease.

Effect of mycotoxins isolated from Penicillium nigricans on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

A new mycotoxin product (NMP) was isolated from the culture of mutated wild strain of P. nigricans which is less toxic and has sterol derivative. NMP (LD50 > 1 g/kg) showed antimicrobial and antineoplastic activities and does not affect the hematological parameters like RBC count and hemoglobin. It maintained normal blood glucose level by increasing the enzyme activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC-1.1.1.49; G-6-PDH) by 30%. It also maintained the normal ion balance in the blood of mice. NMP decreased Km value of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and thus increased substrate affinity of the enzyme. Reduction of toxicity of NMP has been well explained by higher activity of G-6-PDH which is highly specific for production of NADPH.

Inhibition of two HMP shunt pathway enzymes by fatty acids and their CoA esters in developing human brain: role of fatty acid binding protein.

Inhibitory effects of fatty acids and their CoA esters on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activities of human fetal brain cytosol have been studied. Purified human fetal brain fatty acid binding protein reverses the inhibitory effects of palmitoyl-CoA and oleic acid on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activities in human fetal brain cytosol. This protein, when added alone, activates the enzymes. Levels of fatty acid binding proteins as well as the activities of these two HMP shunt pathway enzymes, which provide cofactors like NADPH for reductive biosynthesis, increase with gestation. These results indicate that a relationship exists between the high demand for fatty acids and synthesis of cofactors for lipid biosynthesis in developing brain.

A study of Helicobacter pylori in north Indian subjects with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

A prospective case control study was conducted in 50 patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) and 10 age and sex matched controls to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in patients with NUD and to correlate symptoms, histology and presence of H pylori in gastric biopsies. Endoscopic biopsies from antrum and fundus were subjected to urease test and histological examination. On histology, H pylori was identified in 27 (54%) NUD patients and in one of 10 controls. Urease test was positive in 31 (62%) antral and 21 (42%) fundal biopsies in patients with NUD and in only one (10%) of 10 antral biopsies in the control group. On histology, gastritis was present in the antrum in 46 (92%) NUD patients and in the fundus in 40 (80%) cases; of these, 27 (54%) and 15 (30%) had H pylori in antral and fundal biopsies respectively. The severity of antral gastritis correlated with the density of H pylori (p < 0.05).

Emergency treatment with ketoconazole in disseminated intravascular coagulation due to metastatic prostatic carcinoma.

We report the use of ketoconazole to control disseminated intravascular coagulation due to prostatic carcinoma. Clinical improvement in the condition of the patient was noted in 48 hours and coagulation profile became normal in 10 days.